ZHUHAI: The introduction of China’s made ZDK-03 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft will bring a revolution in our air defence operation, said Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) here. He expressed these views in an interview with APP on the sides lines of the 8th China Aviation and Aerospace exhibition.The air show that held at China’s southern coastal city of Zhuhai concluded on Sunday.Before arriving here, the PAF Chief attended the roll-out ceremony held in Hanzhong for first Shaanxi ZDK-03 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft designed specifically for Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
PAF has plans to induct a total of four Shaanxi ZDK-03 AEW&C aircraft in its inventory.
Those countries having no AEW&C aircraft they mostly rely on ground base radar system. The ground base radar system, he said has “very serious limitations in terms of their surveillance and detections”.On the contrary, he said that AEW&C has the capability of detection for hundreds of miles.Highlighting the importance of the AEW&C, Rao Qamar said that it can detect quite early any object flying from the enemy side and you can take action to counter the threat.So, the Air chief Marshal said that it is a revolution that will come in PAF air defence operation after induction of AEW&C aircrafts.“There are very few countries in the world having AEW&C technology using in their air forces”, he noted.A proud Air Marshal pointed out that PAF will now also join the rank of these countries.He said that the delivery of some of the AEW&C aircraft from Sweden has started, but the Chinese aircraft will begin joining PAF from the first quarter of the next year – App
